Celebration

RORY

It’s been a week since my family’s battle with Nemesis, and the mood of the pack is high. Why wouldn’t it be? They might not know the whole story, but they know what they need to know.

The mysterious illness is gone, like it had never existed in the first place. Their Alpha and their warriors stopped a rogue attack. They’re confident in the strength of their leaders, in their safety.

Everyone’s jubilant when they greet Everett or Ace or Lucius, even more so than usual. They’re grateful for their protection, wanting to honor them for doing their jobs so well.

Everett is really well loved by his pack—and he should be!—but now he can’t go two feet without someone shaking his hand, clapping him on the back, or kissing him on the cheek.

It’s even flowing over onto me. I’ve never had so many wolves dipping their heads in respect to me, wanting to thank me for my part in defending them.

I try to take it all with a smile, but it’s kind of overwhelming. I don’t know how Everett does it.

Today, it’s not as intense as it has been. There’s a huge celebration happening tonight, and everyone seems to be working on it, too busy to stop long. It’s nice to be part of the crowd again.

And I can’t help but be a little excited for the party. Lights have already been strung up in the main square, ready for tonight, and everywhere people are putting up tables and decorations.

It’s been in the works for days; Everett and I approved the permits at the Leadership meeting—once I stopped crying. That was embarrassing, but at least Everett, Ace, and Lucius were nice about it.

It’ll be good to celebrate, to have something to look forward to. Everett and I are finally on our way to visit the orphanage, the kids Xander cursed are fully recovered. I can’t wait to see them.

I haven’t been able to stop thinking about our meeting with Nadia’s parents. I’m grateful that we’re not burying any kids, and I feel awful for feeling that way. I wish I’d been able to save Nadia.

Her mom and dad said that they didn’t blame me, and they were clearly grateful to get their daughter’s message, awed that she’d reached out to help me defeat her killer.

Her mom had kept a stoic face throughout my whole story, just closing her eyes or tightening her mouth. “Nadia was always a fighter. Not surprised that she came to you. She was a strong girl.”

Her dad nodded in agreement. “We were worried something might have happened, that her spirit didn’t make it to the next world. At least she’s in good hands, not lost, or in pain.”

His tears got the better of him at the end, and he trailed off, hiding his face in a handkerchief. His mate put her hand on his back, face still stoic, but her eyes were shining too.

“And the murderer’s been dealt with. That’s more than some get,” her mom said, more to herself and her mate than to me.

I’m glad that can comfort them. I’m not sure it would help me.

Her dad gave me a fierce look, still drying his eyes. “Focus on loving those other kids, the ones who were saved. That’s the best way to honor Nadia’s memory.”

Her mom agreed, eyes soft as she looked at my growing belly. “And your own baby. It’s good to see new life, to see that life goes on. Take so much joy in that, enjoy every moment.”

I promised them that I would, grief a heavy stone in my chest. It felt almost worse that they were so nice to me, the girl who failed to save their daughter. They just want me to be happy.

Sometimes, I’m not sure I remember how. Hopefully, getting to see the kids at the orphanage will help clear away some of the dark, heavy feelings, the guilt, and the fear.

As soon as we get inside the orphanage, I hear a shout of “Luna Rory!”

Cassidy and Orion are barreling toward me. Everett scoops them up before they can crash into my legs, and they squeal excitedly.

He gives them a stern look that’s totally undercut by his goofy smile. “Careful now, Aurora’s pregnant. She doesn’t need you knocking her over.”

The kids nod seriously, and I laugh. “I fall over enough as it is. But I’m really glad to see you two. Come give me a hug, gently?”

I kneel down and open my arms. Everett sets the kids down, and they practically tiptoe over to me, hugging me like I’m made of glass. I let them go and stand up, a little stiff.

It’s getting harder to do things like that already, and I’m barely showing. I cover it with a smile and ask them, “How are you feeling? Are your wolves all better?”

Cassidy answers enthusiastically, Orion bouncing beside her. “Yep! The night you beat her, it just went away, like magic, like when you fixed my broken leg!”

“I’m really glad to hear that,” I say—and I am. It feels like a happiness balloon swelling inside of me. I’m getting a little overly emotional, and I don’t want to freak the kids out.

Everett swoops in to save me, asking the children, “Is Nellie around?”

They practically wiggle under the attention from their Alpha; it’s like he’s a celebrity.

“Yeah, she’s out in the yard with the little kids. Probably playing hopscotch or something.” Orion rolls his eyes to show how he’s too impossibly grown up for hopscotch.

“We can take you to her!” Cassidy volunteers, and Orion looks excited about the idea now that it comes with the very important job of guiding us to Nellie.

Everett lets them take his hands on the walk to the courtyard, and I can’t keep a grin off of my face. I can’t stop thinking of what he’ll be like with our baby. He’s going to be such a great dad.

We can hear the cheerful yelling and laughter of kids at play the second we step outside. They’re all running and tumbling about on the grass, climbing on the play structures, rambunctious and happy.

Nellie is watching over them, her head swiveling to see who’s intruding on her sanctuary. The watchful look immediately melts into her usual kindness. “Oh, Alpha, Luna, good day. Thanks for coming.”

“Thanks for having us,” I say. We come to stand beside her, watching the kids together. I feel something loosening inside me. “They look so much better.”

“It’s good to see them play,” Everett agrees, laughing as one of the boys tumbles down a hill and bounces up, covered in grass, to do it again.

“All they’ve wanted to do is get outside. They’re all very tired of their beds. Can’t say I blame them,” Nellie says softly.

I imagine none of them likes that bedroom much right now.

The little girl with the princess nightgown is now wearing a princess T-shirt and chasing another girl with a toy shark, both of them shrieking and giggling. You’d never know she’d been near death only days ago.

Cassidy tugs on Everett’s hand, looking up at him pleadingly. “Alpha, can you stay? We’ve got cards and board games!”

Orion abandons Everett to latch onto me. I know it’s a shameless ploy for attention, but it’s also adorable. He grins at me. “Oooh, yeah, Luna Rory, come play Battleship!”

I mock-frown at Orion. “You only want to play Battleship because I’m terrible at it.”

“Sounds fun to me,” Everett says, blue eyes twinkling.

I swat him playfully on the shoulder.

We stay at the orphanage for hours, playing with all of the kids. We only leave when it’s time to get ready for the celebration. We all need showers and new clothes.

I loop my arm through Everett’s and lean on his shoulder as we make our way to the pack house. “That was great. I really needed it. Thanks for coming.”

He kisses the top of my head. “With you is my favorite place to be. I’m glad it helped you feel better. I can’t say I hated it, either. They’re great kids.”

The soft sweetness in his voice makes my heart ache. He was so wonderful with the kids today. I lean up to kiss his cheek. “You’re a great Alpha.”

He kisses me on the lips, long and treasuring. “And you’re a great Luna. Now, come on, we don’t want to be late for the celebration. It’s in your honor, after all.”

We head out to the party, and I’m absolutely dazzled by what the pack’s managed to put together. It’s dark enough for the lights to be on, a mix of string lights and colorful lanterns and huge torches.

There are tons of food booths, and a crowd dancing to the music blasting from huge speakers. There’s face painting, and tons of kids and even some adults are running around with moons on their cheeks.

Everett breaks off to go mingle, and I decide to get some dinner. I’ve had a serious appetite all week.

“What do you want, honey?” I coo to the baby, looking at the options. I’m eating for two, after all.

I end up with barbecued ribs, a chocolate-covered banana on a stick, fried rice, and a funnel cake. It all smells great, and I pay extra attention to my feet as I look for a table, not wanting to spill it.

I spot Freya slurping down noodles by one of the food booths. She’s so much better now, but she hasn’t gone back to New York yet. I have a sneaking suspicion about why, but she won’t confirm it.

I put my tray down next to her, triumphant until I try to sit and knock over my chair. Freya laughs as I pick it up and sit down successfully this time.

“Same old Rory. Or, well not quite. I still can’t believe you’re pregnant!” she teases.

I told her about the baby when I visited her after she got out of the hospital. She’s excited to be an auntie.

“How are you feeling?” I ask, digging into my ribs. They taste even better than they smell, but I’m glad I grabbed a zillion napkins.

Freya huffs, scrunching her mouth up at me. “For the thousandth time, all good. Never been better. Stop worrying, okay?”

I hold up my hands in surrender. “Okay, okay, we’ll talk about something else. Like, when are you going back to New York?”

“I told you, I don’t know! My last quarter was totally fucked, I need to see admissions people and it’s a whole stupid thing.” She acts cool, but I can see her blushing. I ~know~ Ace has to be involved.

She refuses, again, to tell me anything, but that’s fine. I’ll get it out of her eventually. We have time. Freya and I eat and talk and people watch and it’s a nice, normal hang-out. I’ve missed normal.

Mia’s here too, with her friends and not her parents. She looks like nothing ever happened. She stops at our table to say hi, and we chat for a bit. She and Freya bonded a little in the hospital.

I hear the music stop and I stand, almost spilling Freya’s lemonade. She catches it with the ease of long practice.

“I have to go. It’s time for Everett’s speech.”

Freya winks at me. “Come find me again later, yeah? We have a lot more to talk about!”

I shoot her a look, but I really have to go. Everett and I take the stage, looking out over the pack. They’re all standing together in the square, waiting for their Alpha’s words.

Everett steps up to the microphone and addresses them, totally confident. “We’re here tonight to celebrate our pack’s strength, our resilience! Together, there is nothing we can’t conquer!”

They all cheer. Everett soaks it in, their victorious Alpha, their glorious leader. He looks radiant, glowing with pride. He’s really well suited to this.

“In your name, as your Alpha, I slayed an evil magician who’d been casting a creeping sickness on our vulnerable, on our children. He’s nothing but ashes now!” Everett pauses for more cheering.

“And your Luna, in your name, rid the world of the evil goddess known as Nemesis. She will be imprisoned for all eternity and will never threaten us again!” He gestures to me and they cheer again.

It’s weirder when it’s for me. I blush and have to fight the urge to duck my head and hide. I did everything Everett said I did, it just doesn’t feel right to be celebrated for it. It’s just what I had to do.

Everett speaks more seriously now. “The threat we’ve been living under is gone. Now is the time to look to our future, to good and joyful things. And in that spirit, I have two announcements.”

He holds out a hand to the crowd. “Ace, will you and your mate join us up here?”

Wait, what? I didn’t know about this. Ace and Freya are climbing up onto the stage, holding hands.

I grab Freya in a hug, “Congratulations! I can’t believe you didn’t tell me!”

She hugs me back. “Surprise!”

I let her go take her place next to her mate, bursting with happiness for them both. We really do have a lot to talk about later!

Everett addresses the crowd. “Our Gamma, Ace Knight, has found his mate and the two of them are ready to cement their bond. Freya Harris joins our pack today.”

There’s a general cry of congratulations and well wishes. Ace has eyes for no one but Freya, but I can see that not everyone is cheering for them.

Everett rests his hand on their joined ones. “As the Alpha of the Shadow Blood Pack, I officially recognize your union. May Selene always see you safely back together.”

There’s applause as Freya and Ace step down. I wonder when the mating ceremony will be? I have a million questions, but as silence falls, I tense. I do know what’s coming next.

“Now, for my second announcement. Aurora and I are expecting a child.”

We’ve told a few people, but this is it. No more secret. Now, everyone knows. It’s going to be in the pack newspaper.

Everett continues speaking. “She’s due in seven months, and I could not be happier. But that’s not all.”

Here we go. Here it comes. I take the stares of the crowd, refusing to look scared.

“Your next Alpha is sure to be strong. Our pup is powerful. They granted their mother magic to help her seal away Nemesis. They already protect this pack,” Everett says.

I wasn’t sure if we should share that, but Everett insisted. He says that too many people know already and keeping it quiet will just cause problems. I agreed, but I’m still worried.

Everett is impassioned, eyes shining. “I am proud to be your Alpha. I am proud to serve you. And, when they’re born, I will be proud to present my pup to you all. Goddess bless our future!”

The pack shouts back, “Goddess bless!” and there’s raucous cheering, applause, and whistling. I even hear a few howls.

It’s a lot of pressure for a baby. But then, our baby is Everett’s heir. There’s nothing to do about that. I just hope we can keep it from being a burden, like it was for him.

Everett leads me down off of the podium and into the crowd. Plenty of people are cheering and wishing us happiness, but I barely hear them. I’m distracted, thinking.

Not everyone in the pack is happy about the news. Freya is another human they’re being asked to accept. And plenty of them still don’t think I’m a good idea, still want a wolf for Luna.

The fact that I’m carrying the Alpha’s baby puts a huge target on my back. And our child’s already being coveted for their power. Who knows what people might try to do?

Nemesis wanted to steal my baby’s body and magic. Others might want to have that power for their own, through kidnapping or worse. Or they just might want us dead.

Everett wraps his arm around my waist and takes my hand, pressing our foreheads together as we slowly spin on the dance floor. The music is sweet and gentle, a love song.

I take a deep breath and let it out, luxuriating in his touch. Right now, I’m at a party, and we have a ton to celebrate. I can relax, enjoy the moment and the people I love and stop worrying.

At least, until tomorrow.

***End of Book Four***